Using Time Wisely

Organized to save money, energy, and time

You are here: Home / Archives for Food

August 8, 2011: Publix and Bi-Lo Shopping Results

by

After creating my menu from the ingredients I have on hand, I am ready to go shopping. Yes, I shop after I know what I plan to make for the week. I know that this sounds backwards, but this system really saves me money, energy, and time.

With my freezer, pantry, and refrigerator housing all the ingredients for my weekly menu plan, I am free to shop the sales at the stores. I am looking for items that are on sale at their rock bottom price, and then using any available coupons to maximize those savings.

This week, I purchased a few sale items. Here are my shopping results:

Photograph Credit: Publix

Publix

2 packages Quaker Chewy Granola Bars (on sale buy one get one free) – $1.40 each

1 Suave shampoo (22 oz.) – $2.19

1 Suave conditioner (22 oz.) – $2.19

2 Dean’s Dips (12 oz.) – $1.95 each

2 Elmer’s Glue (4 oz.) – $.33 each

Krazy Glue – $1.40

Subtotal:  $13.14

Minus the following coupons:

2 – $.55 Publix coupons for a Suave product

2 – Manufacturer coupons for a free Suave product up to $2.99 (took off $2.19 each)

2 – $1 Publix coupons for Dean’s Dip

1 – Manufacturer coupon for $1 off 2 containers of Dean’s Dip

New subtotal: $4.66

Tax: $0.39

Total: $5.05 – With the sale prices and coupons, I purchased $20.40 worth of product for $5.05 which is a savings of 75%.

By stacking coupons, which means using a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon on the same item, I was able to maximize my savings to more than the purchase price of the Suave products. Since I had 2 coupons for a free Suave item from the manufacturer, the 2 bottles of Suave where free. But, I also used the Publix store coupons (from the green advantage flyer), so the extra $1.10 of savings was taken off the end total since I had other items that were not free. I did not “make money” in cash, but I gained “overage” to save on other items purchased.

Photography Credit: Bi-Lo

Bi-Lo

2 packages Hillshire Farm sausage links (14 oz.) – $2.50 each (used buy one get one free rain check from previous week)

1 Southern Home Peanuts Fruit Snacks (6 ct.) – $1.79

2 Southern Home Cheese Sticks (11.5 oz.) – free (used rain check from a previous meal deal where these were free, but the store was out. On this visit, the cashier took the rain check, but did not ring up the two items – per his manager.)

Subtotal: 11.77 (plus the price of the cheese sticks)

Minus the following coupons:

1 – Publix coupon $1 off 2 packages of Hillshire Farm links

My Bi-Lo accepts competitor store coupons. Publix is a qualified competitor. Therefore, I used a Publix coupon and stacked it with a manufacturer coupon to maximize my savings.

2 – Manufacturer $.60 coupons for Hillshire Farm links which doubled to $1.20 off for each

My Publix doubles manufacturer coupons up to $.50, but my Bi-Lo doubles manufacturer coupons up to $.60. Since I had a rain check (savings) + store coupon (Publix) + manufacturer coupons + double the manufacturer saving, I had a great result from stacking the savings.

1 – Bi-Lo coupon for free Peanuts fruit snacks from previous customer survey (took off $1.79)

Total: $.68 (tax was $0) – I purchased a minimum of $11.77 worth of product for $.68 which is a savings of 94%.

These savings are due to a slow week of sales and cashing in rain checks and free product coupons. Now, I cannot make one meal out of this shopping trip, but I did not need to. I have plenty of food in my stockpile. By shopping the sales, I am able to stay stocked and maximize my savings.

This is not “extreme couponing” where I am purchasing tons of products I do not need and spending days working my deals. I do spend about 1-2 hours preparing for my shopping trips, but for me, the savings are worth using time wisely.

Question: Do you shop before or after making your menu plan?  

Grocery Shopping: Creating your Grocery Lists – Part 1 of 3

by

After a slight interruption last week with posting my grocery savings at Publix and Bi-Lo, I will return to my process for feeding my family. Before I step foot in the grocery store, I have already prepared to feed my family by creating a menu plan.

My Menu Planning Process

Step One: Choose a menu plan. My preference is the monthly plan, but in discovering your type of plan, I share links to other types of plans. Remember, a menu plan is a tool to help free you from the “5:00 p.m.-oh-what’s-for-dinner-tonight” quandary.

Step Two: Add meals to your plan from the food you have on hand. If you follow my system, you might not have many choices right away. You will need to build up your stockpile to have more options. When you start with the food in your house, menu planning gets easier.

For me, this second step was the hardest to accomplish. It was mind over matter. I had to re-train my thinking from choosing meals we wanted to eat to scheduling meals I could make now.

Though it took me about 2-3 months to “get it,” the savings are incredible. Using time wisely to change my thought process was time well spent.

Step Three: Continue to add meals. In creative inspiration, I shared times I am thinking about menu planning. By menu planning while putting away groceries and shopping, I can quickly make up a menu plan without much fuss. It takes lots of practice, but it is using time wisely to master menu planning. Your lowered family food budget will be a constant reminder of your success.

My Grocery Shopping Process

Step Four: Creating grocery lists. Today, I will begin a 3-part series sharing my tips for creating grocery lists:

    • Part 1: Identify needed items
    • Part 2: Select sale items
    • Part 3: Compile a list for each store

Part 1: Identify Needed Items

As I prepare to create my grocery list, I first identify my needed items. To do so, I will consult the pad of paper on the side of my refrigerator and then check my supplies for needed items.

Pad of Paper

In our household, we keep a pad of paper on the side of our refrigerator. Usually there are a number of items on this list due to the system we have in place.

When you remove the last bottle of ketchup, you write “ketchup” on this pad of paper. If you notice we are running low on butter or milk, these items also get added to the pad of paper. Other items on this paper might be snacks and lunch foods for my husband to take to work, paper products, and medications. With this system in place, I only need to check the pad of paper to see what items I need to replenish.

Supply Areas

I will then check the refrigerator, pantry, and both freezers for any items that are low in supply. I will add these items to the list on the pad of paper.

With a complete list of all the items my family needs, I am ready to select sale items for my grocery list. Come back next week for more tips on using time wisely in creating your grocery lists.

Question: How do you keep track of items needed in your household?

Grocery Shopping: Creating your Grocery Lists – Part 2a of 3

by

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Grungezombie)

In an effort to feed my family nutritious meals on an $80 a week budget, I have a system to help me accomplish this goal. This system may be too complicated for you. No problem! Find a system that works for you!

Though you may use this same process, please do not feel like you must force this square peg (my process) into your round board (your life). Remember, this is just one option that works for me right now.

In Creating your Grocery List – Part 1 last week, I shared a detailed overview of my process for menu planning and started explaining my grocery shopping process.

Thus far, I have identified needed items from the pad of paper on my refrigerator and my supply areas: pantry, refrigerator, and freezers. With this list in hand, I am now ready to select sale items for Part 2 of my process which involves 6 steps. In keeping it manageable, I will share the first 2 steps this week. Hang in there . . . I’m going to take this slowly.

Step 1: Consult a helpful web site

Since I live in a southeastern state in the United States, I consult www.southernsavers.com. Jenny Martin has a fabulous web site for southern grocery stores and drugstores. Jenny’s link is on the right sidebar of my home page. You can easily access her web site for grocery store and drugstore deals from Using Time Wisely.

If you do not live in a southeastern state, but you are in the United States, then you can access THE GATHERING at www.becentsable.net. Chrissy has identified web sites in your state that list local grocery store and drugstore deals. You can find THE GATHERING by clicking on Becentsable’s link on my right sidebar under Time Saving Resources. This link on Using Time Wisely will take you directly to THE GATHERING to locate your state and your favorite local stores.

For those of you outside the United States, you might want to use a search engine (i.e., SwagBucks, Google, etc.) with the name of your local grocery store and deals (e.g., MYSTORE deals).

Step 2: Locate your grocery store’s weekly sales ad

Hopefully, finding this information will be easy. Most shopping web sites list the weekly sales ad by the dates of the sale. For this week, I would look for dates August 24 – 30, 2011 (for Wednesday to Tuesday sale days) or August 21-27 (for Monday to Saturday sale days).

I also look for sites that list available coupons for the sale items. This information helps you know where to find a coupon for that item.

Once you locate your favorite web site and find the location of your store’s deals (every web site is different), you will know where to begin next week. These two steps will take seconds once you find what works for you.

Working to find the best web sites for your grocery store deals will be time well spent. I went through two other sites before finding my favorite. Next week, I will continue creating my grocery list by concentrating on the items in the sales ad for steps 3 and 4. Hoping this series is beneficial to you!

Question: For your favorite grocery store, what are their sale days (Monday to Saturday)? To add your answer, please click Leave your Comment.

Grocery Shopping: Creating your Grocery Lists – Part 2b of 3

by

Photograph Credit: Stock.Xchng (Gerla Brakkee)

Has your schedule changed in the last few weeks due to one or more children attending school? If so, I’m right there with you. My son just entered first grade which is a transition to a longer school day. As he is adapting to school, the girls and I are adjusting to him being gone, picking him up later, and finding a new routine that works for us.

Keeping all the pieces together and just rearranging them a bit is helping. For me, adjusting a plan is much easier than creating a new one. As we continue this grocery shopping series on creating your grocery lists, I hope that you can take this detailed plan and adjust it to fit your needs.

Last week in Part 2a, I covered steps 1 and 2 in a 6-step process. Today, I will continue steps 3 and 4.

Step 3: Scan the ad for items on your needed list

If I find a sale on spices and have ground mustard on my needed items list, then I will be purchasing or at least looking at spices when I shop at this store. If the web site you are using has a little box next to the item, then you can check it if you are considering purchasing this item. At the end of the list of sale items, you can create your shopping list. (This is my number one reason for loving www.southernsavers.com.)

Unfortunately, not all grocery store deal web sites have this option. If you use a web site that does not create the shopping list for you, then create your own:

    • Open a word processing program like Microsoft WORD
    • Create a NEW document
    • Go back to the deal web site, highlight the entire grocery store deal post, and copy it.
    • Back at your new document, paste that list.
    • Delete items you do not plan to purchase.

Step 4: Consider the Buy One Get One Free sale items

When you purchase items that are buy one get one free (BOGOF), you are already saving 50%. If you have coupons for these items, you can increase your savings! The number of BOGOF items I purchase depends on the answer to the following questions:

1. How many coupons I have for that product?

    • If I have 6 coupons for Hillshire Farm sausage which brings the price down to $.86 per package, then I will probably purchase all 6 packages.
    • If I have 2 coupons for Pepperidge Farm Goldfish, then I will be purchasing at least 2 packages. (My kids eat A LOT of goldfish.)

2. How much of that product my family will consume in 4-6 weeks?

    • My family does not need 6 packages of Hillshire Farm sausage, however, I will work in meals with sausage (maybe try a new recipe) for this great price.
    • Two packages of goldfish will not last more than 2 weeks at my house, so I will probably purchase more than 2 packages. Two packages will be lower in price due to the coupons, but the other packages will still be 50% off.

3. How often that product goes on sale?

    • Sausage goes on sale often, so I do not need to stock up for longer than 4-6 weeks. My family is not partial to Hillshire Farm. We will eat other brands.

TIP: If your family goes through a lot of a specific brand, then stock up at the 50% off savings when that brand is BOGOF.

I stock up when Kraft Singles and boneless pork loins go on sale since their sales are infrequent.

    • Goldfish are on sale about every 5 weeks. So, I will purchase 7-9 packages to get me through until the next sale.

4. How much money is available in my budget?

    • It is very likely that sausage for $.86 per package will be in my food budget.
    • It is also very likely that Goldfish will be in my food budget.
    • However, $15 for a whole boneless pork loin may or may not be in my food budget. If I need pork loin, then I may need to forego some of the other BOGOF sale options to stay within my budget, use money saved from previous weeks to cover the cost, or choose to stock up now and adjust my weekly budget for the remainder of the month.

By adding items your family needs and stocking up on the Buy One Get One Free items, you can create meals your family enjoys and stay within your budget. You will then have more items available to create next week’s menu plan. This process has been very helpful to me as I learn to use my time wisely, save money, and feed my family.

Guess what I’ll cover next week? There’s no fooling you. Yes, I will finish steps 5 and 6 in the second part of creating your grocery lists. Happy savings!

Question: What is your family’s monthly food budget? You can check Using Time Wisely’s Facebook page for my answer. While you are there, add your answer or leave a comment. 🙂

Grocery Shopping: Creating your Grocery Lists – Part 2c of 3

by

Photograph Credit: Stock.xchng (Christy Thompson)

How are the grocery sales going in your area? Last week was very unusual in that I spent almost $150 in groceries due to some fantastic sales. Yes, this amount is almost my budget for 2 grocery weeks. However, I am now stocked with meat, cheese, snacks, sides, and vegetables.

When I shopped this week’s sales yesterday, I spent $5 at Publix and by-passed the sales at Bi-Lo. For these two weeks, I am still within my budget. Yeah! The timing determines my savings. Thankfully, I was using time wisely when the items were on sale.

In working through the “creating your grocery lists” series, we have considered Steps 1-2 in Part 1 and Steps 3-4 in Part 2. Now, let’s consider Steps 5 and 6 in Part 3 as we complete our shopping lists.

Step 5: Print Grocery List

Once I have the needed items that are on sale and the BOGOF options, I will print this list. These are the items I may or may not purchase at this store.

Step 6: Repeat process for next grocery store

In my neck of the woods, I have quite a few grocery store options: Food Lion, Ingles, Publix, Bi-Lo, Whole Foods, Earth Fare, and Wal-mart (to name a few). If I tried to shop at all the stores, I would be shopping all week.

Since I would rather be using time wisely and spending time with my family, I choose to shop at 2 stores: Bi-Lo and Publix. As I create this part of my grocery list, I prepare one list for Bi-Lo and another for Publix.

This process may seem long at first. I remember it taking me all day to prepare my lists with all the normal interruptions. (Again, this system is not for everyone.) When it takes me 4 hours to prepare a grocery list where I save $50, then I am “making” $15 per hour. As I practice and continue to cut my preparation time to 1 hour, I am increasing my hourly savings to $50 an hour (when based on the same shopping trip).

Now that I know the system and have practiced it for many months, I am routinely creating these two lists in under an hour which is maximizing my savings.

My success did not occur overnight. I have made many mistakes along the way. For example, stocking up on an item when it was on sale for $1 off to find the next week the same item was a BOGOF item for $2.50 off. Sale items are great if you need the item, but I have learned not stock up on a sale item.

My stock up price is 50% off. I will purchase one item of a sale price to get me through until the next BOGOF sale on that item. Using coupons with those BOGOF sales just increases the savings. How do I know this? Because I have learned from my own mistakes. I would not be saving 50-90% on my groceries today if I had not started trying these techniques. By just implementing one or two saving strategies, you can increase your savings by 20-40% without using a single coupon. But you need to start, learn from your mistakes, and enjoy the savings.

The basic lists are now created. Next week, I will share briefly how I match coupons and finish compiling my list for each store. In using time wisely, I hope you are finding this series helpful. If so, then try a tip or two and see if your savings increase. If you are like me, once you see the savings, you won’t want to pay full price ever again. 🙂

Question: What is your favorite savings strategy thus far? Please click on Leave your Comment to add your answer.